'Solicitors Bylaw' not yet in effect

Wednesday

May 16, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 16, 2007 at 4:17 PM

With the passage of a “Solicitors Bylaw,” Town Meeting voters this spring took a step towards curbing commercial solicitation in Lincoln. Residents may have to put up with those unexpected knocks at the door for a little longer, however, as the bylaw is not expected to take effect until July.

Police Lt. Kevin Kennedy said the Police Department received multiple complaints about a magazine company soliciting last week. But Kennedy said the company did not violate the bylaw because it is not yet officially on the books in Lincoln.

Ben Aaronson

Police Lt. Kevin Kennedy said the Police Department received multiple complaints about a magazine company soliciting last week. But Kennedy said the company did not violate the bylaw because it is not yet officially on the books in Lincoln.

According to Kennedy, while the bylaw was passed at annual Town Meeting in March, it cannot be put into effect until it has been reviewed and approved by the Attorney General’s Office — a process, Kennedy said, that can take up to 90 days.

“We’re still within that 90-day grace period. The bylaw probably won’t take effect until some time in July,” Kennedy said.

Once the bylaw has been officially approved, commercial solicitors would be required to register with the Police and obtain a license before going out door-to-door. This requirement would apply only to commercial solicitors, not to nonprofit organizations including religious groups, Kennedy said.

In addition, the bylaw would establish designated solicitation hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

The bylaw also would allow Lincoln residents to register their address on a “Do Not Solicit” list to be maintained by the Town Clerk’s Office.

Although commercial solicitors may not be officially regulated for another few months, Kennedy encouraged residents to report any incidents of suspicious or inappropriate behavior by solicitors.

“If anyone is using aggressive tactics or not conducting themselves in a professional manner, please do give us a call,” Kennedy said.

To view the full text of the Solicitors Bylaw, visit the town Web site at www.lincolntown.org/townmeeting/atm_2007.htm.